The ability to download VMware VDDK and deploy it correctly is a foundational skill for vSphere administrators who value efficient backup, fast restore, and automation. While the download process itself is simple (requiring only a free VMware Customer Connect account), the real challenge lies in selecting the correct version and installing it on the right proxy host.
To summarize:
By following this guide, you can ensure that your backup and disaster recovery tools leverage the full power of VMware’s virtual disk APIs safely and efficiently. Now that you know exactly how to download VMware VDDK, go ahead, grab the right version, and optimize your vSphere data protection strategy.
Next Steps:
Last updated: May 2026. This article reflects VDDK versions up to 8.0.3. Always refer to VMware’s official documentation for real-time compatibility updates.
The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is now hosted on the Broadcom Support Portal following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware. How to Download VDDK
Broadcom Developer Portal: Visit the official VDDK SDK page.
Alternative Box Download: Due to reported malfunctions on the main portal, an official Broadcom Box mirror has been provided to ensure accessibility for migration tools like Nutanix Move.
Login Required: You will typically need an active Broadcom account to access the files. Key Considerations
Version Matching: Choose your VDDK version based on the utility using it (e.g., your backup or migration software), rather than just your vSp Common Requirements:
VDDK 7.0.3.1: Standard for modern migrations and ESXi 6.x/7.x.
VDDK 6.0.3: Specifically required for older ESXi 5.1 environments.
Format: Newer versions (since VDDK 5.5.x) are often provided as ZIP archives rather than Windows installers, requiring manual extraction to a directory like C:\Program Files\VMware\VDDK. Typical Installation Steps download vmware vddk
Extract: Unzip the downloaded file to your application's designated path.
Configure: Some utilities require you to run vstor2install.bat from the bin subfolder or manually register the DLLs.
Verify: You can check the installed version by inspecting the "Product version" in the properties of vixdisklib.dll.
Are you downloading this for a specific migration tool like Nutanix Move or a backup solution like Acronis? VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK)
The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a set of C libraries, code samples, and utilities designed to help developers create applications that can access and manage VMware virtual disk storage. Since the acquisition of VMware by Broadcom, the download process has shifted to Broadcom-hosted platforms. Where to Download VDDK
You can access the latest and legacy versions of the VDDK through the following official and verified channels: Primary Portal : The latest releases are available on the Broadcom Developer Portal Broadcom Support
: General product downloads and official documentation can be found at the Broadcom Support Portal Alternative Migration Mirror
: For users specifically needing VDDK for migrations (like Nutanix AHV), an official Broadcom-hosted Box mirror exists at broadcom.ent.box.com/v/vddkdownloads Installation Steps (Windows) Once you have downloaded the
file for your target operating system, follow these general steps to install it on a Windows development system: Extract the Archive : Extract the contents of the file into a dedicated folder, typically under C:\Program Files\ Install the Driver : Navigate to the subfolder within the extracted directory. Locate and run vstor2install.bat
as an Administrator to install the necessary virtual storage driver. Verify Registry
to ensure the driver is correctly registered under the system hardware keys as specified in the VDDK Programming Guide Verify Version
: If you need to confirm which version is installed (e.g., within a third-party backup tool like NetBackup), check the properties of vixdisklib.dll under the "Details" tab to see the Product Version Key Capabilities The VDDK provides the foundational tools for: Direct Disk Access The ability to download VMware VDDK and deploy
: Reading and writing to VMDK files directly without needing to power on the VM. Backup & Recovery
: Supporting "HotAdd" and "NBD" (Network Block Device) transport modes for efficient data transfer. Format Management : Tools like the vmware-vdiskmanager
utility allow for shrinking, expanding, or converting virtual disk types. version of the VDDK
The VMware Virtual Disk Development Kit (VDDK) is a collection of C libraries and utilities designed to help developers create applications that access and manage VMware virtual disk files. 📥 Where to Download
Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware, the primary location for these downloads has transitioned to the Broadcom Support Portal.
Broadcom Support Portal: Log in and search for "VDDK" or navigate to the VMware Cloud Foundation/vSphere section.
Alternative Download Link: Due to recent portal transitions, Broadcom has provided a temporary public box folder containing various VDDK versions for easier access.
Third-Party Managed Links: Specific backup vendors like Acronis provide direct mirror links for specific versions used by their agents, such as VDDK 7.0.1 for Windows. 🛠️ Key Installation Notes
Version Matching: The VDDK version you need is typically determined by the utility using it (e.g., your backup software) rather than the version of vSphere you are running.
Manual Extraction: Most modern VDDK releases (5.5.x and newer) are provided as .zip or .tar.gz archives rather than installers. You must manually extract the files to a directory recognized by your application.
System Requirements: Current VDDK versions generally require 64-bit operating systems. 📂 Common Use Cases
Backups: Applications use VDDK to create snapshots and back up data from virtual disks without interfering with running VMs. By following this guide, you can ensure that
Migrations: Tools like Nutanix Move require specific VDDK versions (e.g., 6.0.3 or 7.0.3.1) to move workloads from VMware to other platforms.
Disk Management: Developers use it to create, mount, and manage VMDK files programmatically. How to manually download VMware VDDK in Windows
Step 1: Navigate to the official VMware Customer Connect portal: https://customerconnect.vmware.com
Step 2: Log in with your VMware credentials. If you don’t have an account, click “Register” to create one (this is free and only requires email verification).
Step 3: Once logged in, hover over “Products” in the top navigation bar and click “A-Z Product List.”
Step 4: Scroll down or search for “Virtual Disk Development Kit” (it is often listed under ‘V’ for ‘Virtual’ or within the vSphere category).
Step 5: Click on the product name. You will see a list of available VDDK versions. As of 2025-2026, you will typically find versions ranging from VDDK 6.0 up to VDDK 8.0.3 or later.
Step 6: Select the version that matches your vSphere environment (see the version compatibility section below).
Step 7: Choose your operating system – VDDK is available for:
Step 8: Click the “Download Now” button. The file size is typically between 50 MB and 150 MB.
Step 9: If prompted to accept the End User License Agreement (EULA), read and accept it.
Pro Tip: Do not download VDDK from third-party websites or file-sharing platforms. Only use official VMware channels to avoid malware or broken libraries.
VMware VDDK is available under a proprietary license. By downloading, you agree to the terms of the VMware Software Development Kit (SDK) License Agreement.